Stream: West Branch Ausable River Fishing Report
Date: 6/18/2026
Clarity: Clear
Temperature: 54 f AM
Weather: high of 66 degrees, PM Rain
Current Shop Announcements: June has given us some fantastic fishing so far, conditions have been excellent and based on the forecast they will continue to be excellent. Fish have been taking a variety of dries, patterns like Chubby Chernobyls, Parachute Sulphurs, Elk Hair Caddis and Stimulators have been working well for us. We have also been fishing a lot of Dry Dropper rigs recently with attractor nymphs or emergers below a dry, and that has been the ticket on those more difficult fish.
Other Rivers in the area have been getting great reports, especially the Saranac. It has been fishing well consistently and on high water days the reports have been excellent. With Bass season opening today expect to be seeing more regular updates on the Saranac River Bass Floats as we get those going in the next few days here!
Available Dates: June; 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21 (Some dates have more availability than others so give us a call here at the shop and we’ll be happy to get you set up with a trip!)
Hatches: Caddis, Sulphur, Stoneflies
Hot Flies: Dry Flies: Elk Hair Caddis (Tan, Brown, Black, Olive: 16-20), High Rise Foam Caddis (Olive, Yellow Sally: 14-16), Chubby Chernobyl (Brown, Gold Hopper, Peacock: 14-16), Stimulators (Royal, Yellow, Orange: 12-16), Parachute Adams (10-14), Sulphur Parachute (18-16) Nymphs: Girdle Bugs (Black, Coffee/Black, Brown: 8-16), Pheasant Tail (Natural, Black (12-16), Prince Nymph (12-18), Duracell Jigs (Original, Olive: 12-16), Caddis Pupa (Tan, Olive: 12-18), Waltz Worm (12-18), Hare’s Ear (Natural, Olive: 14-18), TJ Hooker (Black, Tan/Black: 10-14) Streamers: Wooly Buggers, Sparkle Minnow (Conehead, Articulated, and JIG), classic Mickey Finns and Grey Ghosts, Dhali Lama (olive and brown), Galloup’s Dungeon (mini and regular sized, black, olive, and White) Godzilliz Sculpin: 8-6, Chicago Overcoat: 14-10 (Sculpin, Black, White, Mint), Headbanger Sulpin (mini or regular)
Fishing Outlook: Fishing has been great! So far June has given us great conditions and based on the current forecast it will continue to be the case! We have been getting some great fish on dry flies, recently we have been having success with flies like the Chubby Chernobyl, Sulphur dries, and Caddis have all been producing. Running droppers below your dries is especially effective, running nymphs below foam flies and emergers below lighter dries is sometimes the ticket to getting those spookier fish to eat.
Consistent rain every couple of weeks has been keeping flows at good healthy levels for us giving higher water for a day or two at most, so there have been some great opportunities to fish larger nymphs and streamers on those days while the river is dropping. Fishing large streamers like Sparkle Minnows or Dungeons through pools works very well while running jigged streamers below an indicator or tight lining them works excellent in the pocket water.
We have also been getting great reports from the Saranac River over the last week with people getting some great action on dry flies and streamers, along with it fishing well in high water situations. We have even gotten reports of great Rainbows being caught right in the village of Saranac Lake so heading just to the west of us is something to consider if you want to change it up!
Small Streams: The Brook trout fishing in our blue line streams is really starting to come into its own at this point in the season. With those streams staying very cold right now it can be a great alternative on a day where we have high temperatures. The Brookies in these streams are very active by this point in the year and are feeding aggressively, that being the case it is a great chance to use some of your favorite attractor dries or classic streamer patterns. With Brookies being so aggressive and possessing a talent for inhaling flies we do recommend sizing up a bit even for those little natives. Having so many of these little blue line creeks in the area opens up LOTS of opportunities for beautiful fish as long as you’re willing to do a little bit of hiking!
Warm Water: Bass Season is officially open across the region! Where pre-season bass fishing is legal here in the Adirondacks it has been great. Poppers are an awesome way to target Smallmouth here in the early part of the season, especially in a river setting. Targeting Bass in the rivers can be a great way to spend the day when the Ausable starts to run hot. Floating with one of our guides can lead to a day of crazy fishing as you are able to cover lots of water very effectively. When it comes to deep water Smallmouth we have that game dialed too, we have gear rigged and ready to go so you can target those suspended fish in the lakes. These suspended fish are the ones we like to go after with sink lines and bigger streamers imitating baitfish or even crayfish.
If you have Pike and Musky on the brain, check out this great article from Fly Lords about selecting flies for Northern Pike (and Musky) here in the Adirondacks, featuring our own Max Hogg and our good friend Fred Schroeder of First Cast Flies! You can find the article at the link here. With it being warmer recently we do expect the pike action to pick up quite a bit as they start moving around more, especially with other species sitting on nests it’s a great time to target pike.
For the most up-to-date reports or if you have any questions regarding fishing strategies give us a call here at the Fly Shop at 518-946-2117.
If you are interested in guided trip or would like more information, please Call 518-946-2117 or email flyfishing@hungrytrout.com for guide inquiries. Thank you and see you soon!
Guiding: Booking for 2026. Record snowpack has the region prepared for an amazing spring.
2 Hour Family Learn-To Fly Fish: For those interested in trying fly fishing but have no idea where to start, we have the perfect adventure for you. Our two hour learn-to fly fish is the perfect choice for you. One trip covers four people, full outfitted, two hours with your very own private guide, instruction, and of course fishing. It is the perfect way for those who are interested in fly fishing to give it a try, or for families looking for an Adirondack fishing experience. We have 4 time slots daily throughout the summer months, 8-10, 10:30-12:30, 1-3, and 3:30-5:30. No prior fishing experience or gear required, we will fully outfit you with all of the necessary fishing equipment. For those interested in booking or have any further questions give us a call here at the shop (518) 946-2117.
For any questions regarding Adirondack Fishing give the Fly Shop a call at (518) 946-2117 a call and we will get everything squared away, and dial you in for your Adirondack Fishing Adventure.
We look forward to seeing you in the shop and on the water. Tight lines!!
